The Deputy PM
recognised the success of the Global TB Programme in activities to erase TB
globally. With the support of the programme, the prevention and control of TB
in Vietnam has seen progress in terms of technique, technology and implementation,
he said.

Each year, Vietnam
gives treatment to over 100,000 TB patients. The diagnosis ratio of new TB cases
has reached 81 percent, higher than the average ratio of 61 percent across the
world, he noted.

As many as 90 percent
of TB patients who were diagnosed for the first time were able to completely
get rid of the disease, while over 75 percent of the 12,019 multi-drug-resistant
TB patients have been treated successfully, far above the world’s average of 52
percent.

Currently, the national
programme against TB in Vietnam has succeeded in dealing with all
drug-resistant TB types, Deputy PM Dam said, adding that research and
experiment activities have targeted the settlement of TB risks in affected communities,
which is expected to sharply reduce new TB cases.

According to the
Deputy PM, although Vietnam is seen as a model in TB combat, the country still
faces many challenges in the work.

Vietnam still ranks 16th
in the world in terms of TB patients, and 13th in drug-resistant TB cases.

It is estimated that globally
in 2017, there were 126,000 new cases diagnosed, with 13,000 people dying from
the disease.

The Vietnamese
Government’s national strategy on TB prevention and control underlined the intersectional
responsibilities of several sectors and the whole of society, with many
resources having been given to the work.

Vietnam has supported
and engaged in the WHO initiative of “Find, Treat, Cure TB”, launched by the
WHO and the TB Alliance, with the aim of screening and treating as many TB patients
as possible in order to end the transmission sources, and thus eliminate the
disease.

Hailing Vietnam’s achievements
in fighting TB, Kasaeva said that Vietnam is one of the leading countries in
implementing strategies to end TB, paving the way for other countries in West
Pacific region, and the world, in the field.

The Global TB
Programme commits to strongly supporting and cooperating with Vietnam in
efforts to erase TB as a preventable and curable disease, she stated. –VNA